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Wallaby Taniela Tupou headlines exciting Melbourne Rebels squad for 2024

08 Nov 2023

Taniela Tupou #3 of Australia runs with the ball during the Rugby World Cup France 2023 match between Australia and Georgia at Stade de France on September 9, 2023 in Paris, France. (Photo by Catherine Steenkeste/Getty Images)

Prop Taniela Tupou headlines a new-look Melbourne Rebels squad ahead of the 2024 Super Rugby Pacific season, with the Victorian club recruiting Wallabies, a former All Black, U20s stars as an Australian Sevens phenom.

Wallabies enforcer Taniela ‘The Tongan Thor’ Tupou officially penned a deal with the Melbourne-based club in February, with the tighthead prop committing to a multi-year deal down south.

Tupou joins the Rebels along with former Wallabies Lukhan Salakaia-Loto and Filipo Daugunu. One-Test All Black Matt Proctor is another marquee recruit following a stint overseas in Japan.

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“Firstly, our management has done an excellent job in recruiting some new players to strengthen our squad,” halfback Ryan Louwrens told Rebels Media during the offseason.

“The one player that has really stood out is Lukhan Salakai -Loto. He has come into the team and has not only brought his experience as a player but also has excellent leadership skills. He is a player that gets stuck in at training and competes for everything. He leads by action and not just words which I respect and value.

“I believe that will help us create a winning culture at the Club in season 2024.”

Matt Ribbon, Cabous Eloff, Pone Fa’amausili, Sam Talakai and Jordan Uelese are among the talented front rowers among the Rebels’ ranks for 2024. The rest of the forward pack certainly packs a punch too, including rampaging backrower Vaiolini Ekuasi.

As for the backs, Carter Gordon has been listed in the halves alongside younger brother Mason Gordon who donned Australian gold at the World Rugby U20s Championships earlier this year.

Gordon has been listed as one of the ‘utility’ players in the squad, with the rising star playing most of is rugby in the No. 15 jersey for the Junior Wallabies.

One of the Rebels’ most intriguing additions during the offseason is Darby Lancaster. Lancaster was sensational for Australia on the Sevens World Series last season, and will likely play on the wing for the Rebels next season.

Melbourne Rebels squad for Super Rugby Pacific 2024

Front Row

Matt Gibbon, Cabous Eloff, Isaac Kailea, Alex Mafi, Jordan Uelese, Ethan Dobbins, Pone Fa’amausili, Sam Talakai, Taniela Tupou

Lock

Josh Canham, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Angelo Smith, Tuaina Taii Tualima

Back Row

Vaiolini Ekuasi, Zac Hough, Josh Kemeny, Rob Leota, Daniel Maiava, Brad Wilkin

Halves

Ryan Louwrens, James Tuttle, Jack Maunder, Carter Gordon, Jake Strachan*, Mason Gordon*

Centres

David Feliuai, Lukas Ripley, Matt Proctor, Nick Jooste. Lebron Naea. Divad Palu David Vaihu, Filipo Daugunu*

Back Three

Lachie Anderson, Andrew Kellaway, Darby Lancaster, Joe Pincus, Glen Vaihu

* Denotes utility

Comments

1 Comment

KM 556 days ago

I would be more enthused if they all moved north and those in Perth moved east.

Then and only then will the resurrection begin.

Oops, I omitted to mention Handbag Hamish needs to move offshore.

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Cantab 5 days ago

Teenager Braxton Sorensen-McGee reflects on dream Black Ferns debut

Although NZ won comfortably enough they weren’t always convincing and a better opposition may well have found them out. If our gun 7s players can translate their skills to the 15s game the team would have the ability to beat anyone. Need to be given the chance though.

4 Go to comments

James 5 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

And how do you see the Wallabies loosehead / Lion’s tighthead battle Nick?

37 Go to comments

dw 5 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Also interested in your thoughts on A Bell. Haven't noticed many scrum issues recently. He also seems to play 60 or so mins every game. A bit of a fan (even though he’s a tah..) but wondered if the Lions would target his scrummaging

37 Go to comments

dw 5 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

True. And you look at how the European coaches have got so much out of skelton and how much the local fans love him…and then some Oz fans will still say “he played poorly for the tahs I'm 2015!”

37 Go to comments

dw 5 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Thanks Nick but your headline has just jinxed us and reminded me of that night in 2013!

I love any analysis of the scrums such as the above. Cheers.

Allalatoa seems to be in good form and Nongorr appears to be able to hold his own? I think they will pick Tupou regardless of form. After Friday night I am concerned he could be sent off in the first five mins of the test though! He got too pumped up and hit a player high and was carded

37 Go to comments

RedWarriors 5 days ago

'Most complacent selection decision you will ever see': Barrett benching slammed as Leinster knocked out

I watched the mainstream NZ pundits eg Mils Muliaina and they DID back NZ to win almost to a man.

Ireland will talk their team up as anyone would with the caveats we are playing the ABs and match was de facto 50:50, That is not the same as dismissing the opposition. EG After the quarter John Kirwan said he was sorry France didn’t win versus SA becuase a ‘France-NZ final would be perfect. (The semis had not even been played yet, England and Argentina completely dismissed! He didn’t even realize his own arrogance) NZ are not even aware of the arrogance they exude. Has no Kiwi politely asked the national team to take down the ‘Superstars and Humble Heroes’ boasting on the AB site? Its cringeworthy stuff. Do NZ really see themselves like this?

Note all this BS about Irish arrogance started just after NZs defeat in the 2022 series. Not a coincidence.

Also: this is Irish national TV. We will talk our team up as everyone does. We care too much about judgemental and thin skinned Kiwis getting offended.

91 Go to comments

JM 5 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Aussie rugby fans are obsessed with players they hate, for whatever reason.

Michael Hooper is another one, and the hatred only increased whenever he won John Eales medals or the two times he was nominated world player of the year.

I reckon it is because our forwards are technically and mentally weak they put it all on one player who they think should make way for the messiah.

Same for the general team performance and the hate put on players like White, Lolesio, and Foley who should be pulling rabbits out of the hat every play.

I reckon, if we had of had 5 players with Hooper’s desire and drive spread across the team (and especiallythe forwards), we wouldn’t have woken up in the bottom of the ditch.

37 Go to comments

RedWarriors 5 days ago

'What he’s given to this club is nothing short of incredible'

He shouldn’t have been picked. Not physically able for the most intense matches notably in Twickenham last year. Giving him the captaincy was also a very short sighted decision then after RWC 2023. Ireland have a tendency to be a little too loyal, which can mean the team ages and the rebuild is bigger than should be.

Plenty of lads out there to fill that squad.

4 Go to comments

OJohn 5 days ago

Geoff Parling returns to Leicester as head coach

Hooray

0 Go to comments

Carlos 5 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

He was also a YC magnet.

37 Go to comments

Carlos 5 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Windsor-Faulkner-Price. 😊

37 Go to comments

Solenn Bonnet 5 days ago

Leinster cleanse palette with record URC scoreline against Zebre

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0 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 5 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Ah, the Pooler front row ! Most legendary in the history of the , I would think. Max Boyce helped…”Here we. here we, here we go, with the Pontypool front row.”

37 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 6 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Would not go as far as whole house in our family, but for me, yes, W1. Loved playing in the scrum, love watching now😀

37 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 6 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Yes, I see that article here on RP, Nick. That is good news that Schmidt is going to look at the o’seas players.

Yes, I would think you are right that LAR will qualify. On the same points as MP, but surely they are too good not to win this crunch game….could be tEnse for ROG in the stands though.

37 Go to comments

BC 6 days ago

Who would make it into a Women's British and Irish Lions starting XV?

I would pick Oifa Wafer at 6, put Aldcroft in the second row with Ward. I think Wafer is one of the few non-England players mentioned that would contend for a Red Rose shirt, the others being King and possibly Neve Jones. Conversely there are two English players mentioned, Sing and Venner, that probably won’t even make the Red Rose WC squad, let alone a Lions Tour. Still a lot can change in two years, watch out for Millie David.

1 Go to comments

Otagoman II 6 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Great article NB, thanks. I would like to know what is the reasoning why so many things are penalties in the scrum. Is it to do with safety or something else?

37 Go to comments

NB 6 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

👍

37 Go to comments

NB 6 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Always the same at the other place. Some of those perceptions of him at the Tahs - lazy, overweight and slow - were impossible to shift!

37 Go to comments

NB 6 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Hang on to Miz Carlos!

37 Go to comments

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Wallaby Taniela Tupou headlines exciting Melbourne Rebels squad for 2024

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